High school water polo: Leland girls rise to top of CCS despite facing tough challenges

The Leland girls water polo team has overcome a number of challenges to become a Central Coast Section Division I champion, most notably its lack of a home-pool advantage.

The Chargers play all of their matches off campus because the pool at Leland, built in the 1970s, doesn't meet the minimum requirements of being 25 yards by 17 yards with deep water end to end.

"We don't have a budget, we don't have a nice facility, we have eight girls on the varsity," Leland coach Eric Rise said. "What we have are some real great kids who play year-round in club, real committed kids who show up to every practice and sacrifice their social life."

Leland defeated perennial power St. Francis 12-7 in the CCS Division I championship game last season. And with seven players returning who played significant roles, the outlook is bright.

"Our goal is to get back to CCS and make the finals again," Rise said.

Jamie Nolan, younger sister of former Leland standout Kelsey Nolan, now at Michigan, is the team leader -- or as Rise puts it, "Our best player on both ends of the pool."

Katie Peck, Alison Griffeth and Tina Samson are other top players.

In Leland's Mount Hamilton opener Tuesday, the Chargers broke away from a 2-2 tie after one quarter to defeat Pioneer 17-5. Griffeth scored five goals. Nolan had four goals and four steals. Goalkeeper Caitlin Caselli had nine saves.

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In girls Division II, Sacred Heart Prep has won five consecutive CCS titles and is favored to win another this fall.

On the boys side, Sacred Heart Prep appears to be at the top of the class. The Gators have won four of the past five CCS Division II titles and have most of last year's championship team returning, a group that includes Stanford-signee Michael Holloway, goalkeeper Will Runkel, Brett Hinrichs, Zach Churukian and Harrison Enright.

Sacred Heart Prep has been in the Division II championship game the past seven years.

"We return the bulk of the team that won CCS," coach Brian Kreutzkamp said. "We're heavy on the senior side. We have a little more talent than in the past. But that doesn't equal titles. All it means is there are expectations, which we welcome."

But, of course, when you talk about high school water polo dynasties, you must begin with Bellarmine College Prep, winners of 23 CCS titles in the past 29 years.

Colin Mello, a 27-year-old former professional player and an assistant at Sacred Heart Prep last year, takes over for Larry Rogers as head coach.

Seniors Riley Quinlan, John Raineri and DeMarco Orella lead the Bells.

Last season, Bellarmine beat Sacred Heart Prep during the West Catholic Athletic League regular season, but SHP returned the favor in the WCAL playoffs. Bellarmine went on to win the CCS Division I title but lost a lot to graduation.

"This year Sacred Heart is the favorite as far as the WCAL goes," Mello said.